Pre-Match stats ahead of Saturday’s game as Swansea City look to put another big dent in Newcastle’s failing survival hopes.
A January spend of around £80m has had no effect for the Magpies, their gamble to desperately try to survive the drop is yet to gain them any results. A part of £80m spend involved the purchase of Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey for £12m. The decision to sell to a close relegation rival was widely criticised at the time – but the club – who tend to know best – have been proven right. The Swans haven’t missed him and he’s made no significant influence since he joined in January.
Swansea’s business of spending two thirds of £12m on striker Paloschi and bringing in loanee Leroy Fer has helped them though. The striker has netted twice and produced an excellent performance in the 1-0 against Chelsea last weekend. Fer has also done a decent job too, earning a regular first team place and has given the midfield more attacking creativity.
The Guidolin and Curtis coaching duo have been the major influence and reason for Swansea’s improved results though. Sigurdsson’s form has dramatically improved since the Italian’s arrival – or Monk’s departure – whichever way you want to look at it. His 9 goals in the last 14 games have helped the team to pick up vital wins to reach the 40 point mark – incredibly with another 5 games to go.
Newcastle United also brought in a new manager – Rafa Benitez came in after being sacked at Real Madrid. A major coup for them, but he too has not improved results, but the club surely should have sacked Steve McLaren far earlier than they did. His appointment alone baffled many.
PRE-MATCH STATS:
Newcastle United have won just one of their nine Barclays Premier League games against Swansea City (W1 D2 L6).
Papiss Demba Cisse has scored four goals in five Premier League appearances against Swansea.
Swansea City have won just three of their last 17 Premier League away matches (W3 D5 L9).
The Swans have lost none of their last four Premier League trips to St James Park, including winning the last three in a row.
Newcastle’s 25 point tally after 32 games in their worst at this stage of a Premier League season; surpassing their previous lowest in 2008-09 (30 points) when they were relegated.
Swansea City are second in Form table for the last 6 games, only Leicester City have picked up more points.
Newcastle have conceded three or more goals in 10 Premier League games this season, a joint-league high with Aston Villa.
Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored in nine of his last 14 Premier League appearances for Swansea (nine goals).
The Icelandic midfielder’s tally of nine Premier League goals in 2016 is only bettered by Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane (11 goals each).
On Christmas Day, Newcastle United (17 points) were two points ahead of Swansea City (15) after 17 games – since then, the Magpies have picked up just eight points in 15 games, while Swansea have won 25 points in 16 games.
Newcastle have won just one point in their last seven Premier League matches (W0 D1 L6).
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